First, fourth quarters are difference in Cheney loss to Clarkston

Cheney High School’s boys’ basketball squad earned a split of its games over the final week of the holiday break.

The Blackhawks cruised to a 56-32 win over visiting Northeast A school Deer Park in non-league action Dec. 29. Cheney broke up a tight, three-point game at the half by outscoring the Stags 32-11 in the second half, including a great defensive effort in the 17-4 fourth quarter en route to the win.

Senior guard Ryan Smedley had a career high with 18 points, with Jamiel Worthem and Nick Hohrman each adding eight points.

The Blackhawks found the going more difficult Jan. 3 against unbeaten and top-ranked Clarkston. Cheney played the visiting Bantams to a 28-28 tie over the second and third quarters on the hardwood at Eastern Washington University’s Reese Court, but struggled in the beginning and in the end, getting outscored 13-4 in the first quarter and 10-6 in the final eight minutes in the 51-38 loss in Great Northern League play.

Cheney lost its first meeting with the Bantams 68-32 on Dec. 18 at Clarkston. Worthem led the Blackhawks with nine points while Ty Graham added seven as no Cheney player scored in double figures.

Trevon Allen and Travor Sperry led the Bantams (9-0, 2-0) with 12 and 10 points respectively.

Cheney drops to 4-5 overall, 0-2 in GNL play. The Blackhawks have an opportunity to make up some ground in the race for playoff seeding, albeit against tough opponents, with three league games this week, all on the road.

Cheney traveled to East Valley to face the Knights (0-1, 3-6) Tuesday, and follows that with games Friday night at West Valley (5-2, 0-0) and Saturday at 2A fourth-ranked Pullman (8-1, 1-0).

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].